Presence of Promise

 

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

THE PRESENCE OF HIS PROMISE 

His promise to be with us is solid

His promise is more dependable than rocks of old

Even mountains can be blasted into rubble 

Yet, there is nothing … absolutely nothing… that can cause one of the LORD’ promises to fail.

Therefore, we can celebrate before we see it

We have assurance as soon as He speaks it

It will come to pass 

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.

II Corinthians 2:14

still our living hope

‘I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.’  Psalm 27:13

 

I was watching a show this morning and it echoed something that has been visiting my heart over the past few days. It made me think of a post that I originally wrote back in 2012. It was a post about ‘a living hope’. National Suicide Prevention Day is not until September 10^th  but many precious souls will not make it that long. So I am sharing that post today … since it is heavy on my heart today. I pray you will be blessed by it…

 

[originally posted 22 March 2012]

I have something that has been on my heart for several days and it just will not move for some reason. My prayer is that I can make the following statement without people jumping to a bunch of conclusions.

In the past few years with all that I have experienced personally and in my interactions with others, I have come to this conclusion:
     "There are many people who have contemplated suicide who do not want to die ... they simply want the pain to end."

They are not completely hopeless as some would presume. Saved or unsaved, they have a hope and an expectation that what lies on the other side must be better than what they are currently experiencing - if for no other reason than the simple fact that they can rest.

To those who have never been there, and cannot fathom how someone could reach that place:

• Do you know what it is like to be so exhausted from living that an eternal rest seems like a better option than awaking to face one more draining day all over again?
• Can you understand and have a heart of compassion for someone who feels that way?
• Or do you scoff, spew out a Bible verse and flippantly declare, 'It's not that serious.'? 

My heart aches for those who hurt. And I have come to the realization that but for Christ in my life (and me actively in Him), there am I.

'I would have lost hope unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.' [my emphasis] Psalm 27:13

So tonight I am praying ....
Praying that God will touch every person who is so tired of living that death seems like the only viable alternative. I pray that He would speak to you in a personal way, unique and specific to how you can hear Him best. He loves you so much and He is present, even though it may not feel that way.

My pastor made a comment on Sunday and he said, 'There are people that are so lonely ... they can be in an auditorium full of people and feel completely alone ... sometimes you need Jesus with some skin.'

Powerful statements ...
And while I pray that He would speak to you individually and directly, through a dream, through a song, through a sermon,  to your heart, through a breeze, a flower or  a touch ... I pray also that He would send you a 'Jesus with some skin', a child of God who will not judge or condemn or minimize your pain - but one who is blessed with discernment and understanding, who radiates the love and compassion of Christ in such a way that it will be difficult to discern the difference.

Yes, God is bigger than anything you are facing and He is well able to handle it. However, I have come to the realization that the biggest hurdle for most people to jump is not in comprehending or believing in the ability of God but in having the assurance of His willingness, believing that He desires to do something meaningful for them.  He does ...

Therefore, I pray that He would comfort you with an everlasting and powerful comfort. And I pray that His love would be as real and tangible as the pain has been ... and so much more so.

I pray that you would see and experience His goodness in the land of the living and that it would be the foundation for a living hope - a match which ignites a desire to stay among us and fulfill the plan and purpose that God has for you life. He does indeed have a good plan, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a real hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11)

'Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the waters, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green and, it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.'  Jeremiah 17:7-8

Another word for trust is confidence or hope. It is one thing to place confidence in the LORD. However, it is something entirely different when He becomes the very confidence or hope that you possess. Jesus Christ, who died so that we could live, is our hope and confidence.

May the LORD God Almighty, truly bless you and keep you...
May His Holy Spirit supply you with strength and wisdom
May Christ be your living hope and give you hope to live ...

still yes ...

‘... exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think ...' Ephesians 3:20

Will you protect me and shield me?

Will you nourish me and comfort me?

Will you support & encourage me?

Will you see the best in me when I cannot see it in myself?

Will you provide my every need?

Will you respond to my cries?

Will you watch over me while I sleep, stay with me in the dark and reassure me when I am afraid?

 

But, will you sing to me?

 

Will you defend me when no one else will?

Will you listen when I need someone to talk to … no matter the time of day?

Will you help me when I am confused?

Will you know what I am trying to say when I cannot explain it myself?

Will you help me find the things I have lost?

Will you support my dreams and help me get to where I need to go?

 

Do I have anything to fear?

'As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.' Isaiah 66:13

Could a mother forget a child who nurses at her breast? 

Could she fail to love an infant who came from her own body? 

[Yet] Even if a mother should forget, I will not forget you. [says the LORD]

Isaiah 49:15 CEV

WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Good Morning Friends

It is very early Monday Morning – April 20^th

This is a day which is full of memorable events, many of them not pleasant:

The birth date of Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany –

an individual responsible for the death of 6 million Jewish people

The anniversary of the United States Columbine High School shooting –

                where 13 students and faculty lost their lives and 24 were injured

April 20^th is also a noted ‘holiday’ and day of significance in cannibis culture.

Truthfully – it may not seem like there is a great deal to be thankful for on this date.

However – for me personally – it is a day of great remembrance

April 20^th is the day I was married back in 1990. And, although that marriage ended in divorce, the day on which it began is a reason for great joy in my life. You see, if that day had never occurred, I would not have three of the most important people in my life today – my three sons. This day, April 20^th, serves as a constant reminder to me that God is always present, always working things together for my good, always bringing beauty from the ashes.

This day, April 20^th 

It also serves as a springboard for today’s WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

While many states are working on plans to reopen their states amidst the COVID-19 crisis,

My state of Virginia remains under a ‘shelter in place’ order.

Yet, all I could think about this weekend was,

‘If I have to shelter in place, I am so thankful it is with people I love and who love me back.’

It seems a simple and obvious thing – yet it is one that should not be taken for granted

Sadly, it is not everyone’s experience

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE BLESSINGS IN LIFE & BE THANKFUL FOR THEM

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS, WE MUST MAINTAIN A HEART OF GRATITUDE

Yesterday and this morning,

I spent some time re-watching a Korean drama series Netflix entitled, Chocolate

I wrote about it at the beginning of this year in a post entitled, 2020: CHERISH THE DAY

And in that post, I shared an observation and quote from a scene in that show:

“Standing on a beach, with the waves crashing in the background, one of the characters makes this poignant declaration:

“As if today is your last day,
and as if you know that this moment will never return,
cherish  every single moment that comes by ladies and gentlemen.
The day you wasted today – is the tomorrow that someone who died yesterday so badly wished for.”  – Tae-Hyun

This touched me intensely and immensely.

It touched me because it is all about the value of life.

It touched me because it is something that I am realizing is so vitally important;

It is something that I know I need –

this need to value the days which the LORD blesses me with

It is something where I am developing a keen awareness of the need for – intention.

You see, making the most of each day will not happen by accident.

I must make a choice to focus on the people and things that matter most.

I must make a choice to appreciate the people who the LORD has blessed me with.”

When I wrote that post back in January of this year,

I had no idea what 2020 would hold for us as a nation and for the world at large

That post ended with the following verse:

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom’ Psalm 90:2

Those words hold an entirely new significance for me as I reflect on them today

We must learn to appreciate and enjoy the journey.      

In my book, When Storms Rage, I note that  we should “never be so concerned with blessing and destination, that [we] miss opportunities to enjoy the journey and God’s Company today. He has already given us more than we could ever deserve in sending His Son Jesus to suffer and die for us. What can be so troubling and massive that the love of God cannot overshadow?

I promise you, no matter what your storm is today, you can rest assured that the LORD cares for that which concerns you. None of your storms have caught Him by surprise. He is still the same all-powerful God He has been since the beginning of time. Therefore, if the storm is present, He must be allowing it. And if He is allowing it, He has a plan and a purpose in mind – plans to prosper and not to harm.”

‘I delight greatly in the LORD: my soul rejoices in my God.” Isaiah 61:10

Despite all which has occurred, and all which is occurring –

I still choose to hope in the One in whom I have believed;

to remain steadfast and confident in the One in whom I have placed my trust.

And I choose to enjoy the journey – today and every day.

I pray you too will find something in your journey to enjoy today.

Have a Blessed Day!

for the hurting ...

Good Morning Friends

It is early and I am actually on my way to work

However, I had to stop and write this post

Hard to believe we are just two short weeks from the first day of Spring

In fact, time ‘springs forward’ this weekend

Today is Friday and the first week of March … has marched on

Time stops for no man … or woman

But, there is a saying that ‘time heals all wounds’

                However, that is simply not true

Time cannot erase feelings of loss or missing someone so precious to you

No – in those instances, time just passes.

This thought has repeatedly entered my mind over the past few days 

There is a someone so special to me who is heavy on my heart today –

Truthfully, they have been on my heart all week

And I know time does not heal the hurt

You see, some days are great days of remembrance –

For me, it is the birthdays of my sons, my parents and close friends,

It is holidays like Christmas,Valentine’s Day, Father's Day & Mother's Day

It is March 23^rd – a day which holds special significance for me

However – not every day of remembrance is a great day

No – some days of remembrance can evoke feelings of sorrow and loss

Today is one of those days – but not because I experienced a personal loss

               

One of the shortest verses in the Bible is found in John 11:35

And it simply states, ‘Jesus wept.’

His friend Lazarus had died and He had just arrived in town;

That is when He encountered Lazarus’ sister Mary.

Scripture notes, ‘When Jesus saw her weeping …

He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled’ John 11:33

FOR THE HURTING ... 

Sometimes you are moved for your own situation;

Sometimes you are moved by the situations of others

‘We weep with those who are weeping’ Romans 12:15

Just as the Father cares for that which concerns us

There are those special people in your life where you care about what concerns them –

                truly care …

In those situations, you demonstrate compassion –

And you understand that time does not heal all wounds

To my special one – and to all who may be hurting – know this:

I am praying for you today and always

I pray that something would happen today to brighten your countenance,

to place a smile on your face

I wish more than anything that I could give you a giant hug –

Not that it will fix what hurts. How could it?

But in the absence of a physical hug,

I pray that the LORD’s presence would be tangible to you today –

                So tangible that it would feel like an actual hug.

Scripture says, ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning’ Ps. 30:5

The truth is – weeping may endure for many nights .. and even years intermittently.

However, I am praying for you continually;

I am praying that there will be a dawn breaking which ushers joy into your spirit

                even in the midst of the sadness,

Today and any day your heart aches

Have a Blessed Day,

I love you much …

leap of faith ...

Happy Saturday!

It is the last day of February –

Bringing to a close  our focus on love.

I am actually not quite sure where my time went today

The days come and go;

The weekend comes … the weekend goes

However, it has been a relatively good day – following a rough evening.

Last night, out of nowhere, I had a full on anxiety attack

It made me so ill, that all I could do was lie down, to try to calm down

But eventually, I fell asleep ...

And today – well today is a new day

Today is Leap Day … the reason 2020 is a Leap Year

Today is also my Aunt Julia’s birthday;

I always remember her birthday because it falls on February 29^th

This day, the 29^th of February, will not occur on the calendar again

For another four years        

This day, the 29^th of February 2020, will not occur again – ever

There is an old Irish tradition that if a woman makes a proposal on February 29^th

                It must be accepted

The idea was that of a single woman asking a man for his hand

However, I will accept that any proposal made by a lady this day, will be honored.

Therefore, in view of my night last night –

and sensitive the plight of so many who must confront anxiety from time to time

I would like to make the following proposal:

‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

                And do not lean on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths’

                                                                                              Proverb 3:5-6

‘Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,

                Nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

                Nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side,

                Though ten thousand are dying around you,

                These evils will not touch you’

                                                               Psalm 91:5-7

We cannot always control the feelings which come upon us,

But we can control whether we will allow them to control us.

Last night, recognizing what was happening, I went to lie down;

I played some Christ-centered music & I quoted some scripture,

‘Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:12-14

Eventually I fell asleep last night – the LORD granted me rest 

The LORD grants His beloved rest;

He is Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace.

So take a leap of courage, a leap of hope, a leap of faith

                With God, every day, moment-by-moment

God is our refuge and strength – in a leap year and every year

Have a Blessed Evening!

the comforters ...

Good Morning –

I pray all is well and that you have had a blessed week

Hard to believe we almost to the end of February

Where is the time going?

It is moving so fast that it almost makes you want to pause –

                to find comfort in a slower pace and to rest

Funny thing is, though, even when I have the opportunity to sleep in,

Here I am – up at 4AM on a Saturday

As soon as I arise – lately – my very first thoughts are of the LORD

And the next thoughts go to all who are facing challenges in this fast- paced world,

                to those who seek comfort and strength for their journey

Yet you cannot think only of the ones needing comfort

Someone has to meet that need

Where are the comforters?

We know Jesus is our Ultimate Comforter –

He is our High Priest, able to sympathize with our weakness,

                for He was in always tried and tested Himself [Heb. 4:15]

And, as part of the triune nature of God, I know He is Omnipresent,

                Everywhere at the same time

We know – without doubt that the LORD has comforted us in our journey

The famous poem ‘Footprints’ captures it perfectly, noting the LORD’s reply to one of His hurting children: “My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Such a stunning depiction of grace, provision, mercy, protection and COMFORT –

Even still, there are countless individuals who have cried out the LORD in the midst of trial,

‘LORD, do you not care that we are perishing?’

‘Why LORD do you stand afar off? Why do you hide Yourself in time of trouble? Psalm 10:1

‘How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will You hide your face? Psalm 13:1

Yet, in every instance, comfort was supplied

The Comforter responded with gentle but unmistakable assurance,

‘I AM HERE …’

However, sometimes as human beings walking this earth,

                We need ‘Jesus with some skin’

This is where you and I come into the picture

The LORD desires that we would demonstrate similar levels of love and commitment,

                of support, of caring and of comfort which He has shown us

‘Let this mind which was in Christ Jesus, also be formed in you.’ Philippians 2:5

Let this heart of compassion and willingness to be a comfort to those in need,

be formed in you

You see –

The LORD God Almighty does not comfort us solely that we would be comforted, but that we would become comforters

Sometimes, the circumstances can be so intense that it is overwhelming;

Indeed, even Jesus questioned during His most severe time of trial,

‘Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?’

‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’  Matthew 27:46

We all need comfort from time to time –

And there are countless opportunities for you and I to:

§  Pay close attention to those in need

§  Be present during their times of challenge – to not stand far away

§  Let people know they are remembered and that someone cares

I would challenge you –

Think on all the ways the LORD has provided you comfort,

                Whether by His Spirit or by sending comfort you way.

Then make a decision to partner with Him and to:

Be His hands and heart in the earth,

Be mindful of those needing comfort,

Make a firm commitment to becoming a comforter

I promise –

You will not ever regret being ‘Jesus with some skin’ to someone who is hurting

Have a Blessed Day!

‘Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.’

II Corinthians 1:3-4

LOVE 2020: LOVE CARES

Good Evening …

I hope you had a good day today –

We have made it past the mid-point of the week,

And I pray that your week is going well

A couple of days ago, I wrote about the need to love living

It is so important –

However, I also realize how difficult that may be for some people;

They are not sure if they will ever love living again;

And it is not that they want to die – they just don’t want to go on living the way they are

Whether it is past regrets, a bad habit that cannot be shaken,

The intense sadness and loneliness of losing a loved one, health issue, financial reversals.

                Or a combination of all these things

It makes it exceedingly difficult to love living

And to all of those people [all of us people] I say,

Love cares … and love speaks cry

The LORD, who is love, cares for you – and everything that concerns you

He cares when you’re overwhelmed,

He cares when you are consumed with sadness,

He cares and is there every time you shed tears of sorrow – internally and externally

Psalm 56:8 captures the thoughts of a psalmist who may have been hurting –

                Just like the people I just described,

Yet he speaks from a place of quiet confidence,

‘You [LORD] keep track of my sorrows.

You have collected all of my tears in Your bottle

You have recorded each one in Your book.’

That is powerful that He takes account of every tear;

Because I lose count of the tear drops in just one crying session

Yet, He is present for every single one.

He speaks cry …

Several years back, I was watching a conference online –

The guest speaker was pastor and teacher, Sheryl Brady.

And as she was sharing her heart about the presence of God, she noted:

”He even understands what the tear meant that rolled down your face in the middle of the night across the bridge of your nose onto your pillow … He hears and He knows. He knows what you’re saying and He knows what you’re not saying…” 

It made me think back to when my children were small and the cries they would make:

There was a cry that meant ‘Change me’ and there was the cry that meant ‘Feed me’ and the cry that meant ‘Burp me, please … I am about to explode!’  There was the cry that said ‘I’m sleepy’ and, of course, there was the cry that simply meant, ‘Please hold me ... I just need to know you are near.’ 

I love them more than I could ever express,

And I wanted nothing more than to tend to every need.

Yet, even with all the love I had [and still have] as a parent – GOD’S LOVE IS GREATER

Our Heavenly Father loves us more than any parent ever could

And He, also familiar with our cries, hears our cries –

He knows the meaning of every tear, every sob, every sigh. And when we weep, shedding more tears than could ever be counted by us, crying what becomes a flowing stream or river, He sees each individual tear and can tell what each one represents. He knows what each one means without us speaking a word:

• §       He knows the cry that begs ‘Change me … I cannot change myself’
• §       He translates the cry which says ‘I am hungry for YOU … please feed me'
• §       He understands the cry that screams ‘I am about to explode!’
• §       He knows that one tear that says ‘I am so tired I don't know what to do’
• §       He comprehends the river of tears which whisper ‘I need You to hold me, to know that you are not only near, but here.'

He cares for that which concerns us (I Peter 5:7) and He loved us all so much that He sent Jesus to die for us (John 3:16). He cares for you.

He speaks every language under heaven and ...

He speaks, understands and responds to ‘cry’

Be encouraged dear friends and know I am praying with you and for you …

Have a Blessed Evening…

LOVE 2020: LOVE COVERS

Good Evening Friends!

Happy Monday!

I am excited this evening … because  …

We are on day three of February –

And I am 3:3 with our series!

No –  I am not crazy 

BUT

Yes – that is how yesterday’s post was supposed to begin

However, a ‘quick snack’ and a severe allergic reaction later and .. well, you get the idea

SO – here we are:

Happy Tuesday!

I pray your week is off to a great start and that you are ready to continue our journey:

TODAY –

We are talking about LOVE THAT COVERS

At several points yesterday [and over the past couple of days],

The following verse has popped into my mind a few times:

‘Love covers a multitude of sins…’ I Peter 4:8

The Greek word for sins in that verse is – ἁμαρτία 

And, while it has several definitions, I like the highlighted one below:

‘To miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor; to do or go wrong’

NOW – we are all familiar with the ‘doing wrong’;

It part of the sin-filled fallen nature of man

HOWEVER – today, I would like to spend a moment on the ‘going wrong’ portion

Which can still be a part of our sin nature;

But, which can also just be a part of life.

Sometimes life is like that isn’t it?

There are times when it feels like all the right efforts

still have you going the wrong way.

BUT, SOMETIMES – even the ‘wrong’ path can take you to the right location

Even when we go the wrong way – perhaps not intentionally – He is there

Even when we go the wrong way on purpose, and we turn back repentant – 

He is still present & waiting for us, seeking us out & running toward us,

His love covering us and the multitude of situations we find ourselves in,

Working ALL things together for the good.

Indeed, He works things together so well, it looks like it was part of the original plan

He is always with us;

His love is ever-present;

His love is ever-working, always covering

He loves you [and me] with an ever-lasting love

It still amazes me every time I truly stop and take time to meditate on that truth

And, as I pondered the roads I have traveled,

He spoke to my spirit this past weekend –

And here is what I heard:

“I work all things together for your good and for My glory;

The right things and the wrong things,

The times when you hit it spot on and the times when you miss the mark completely

The beautiful and the ugly

The pleasant and the not-so-pleasant

I am there working in all of it, loving you through all of it,

Working it all together for your good and for My glory”

That is a LOVE THAT COVERS!

I’m tearing-up just thinking about it

No matter how it may seem, or how you may feel;

HIS LOVE COVERS ALL

‘If I go up to the heavens, You are there;

If I make my bed in the depths, You are there;

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there Your hand will guide me,

Your right hand will hold me fast’ Psalm 139:10

SO BEAUTIFUL!

I pray – tonight and the rest of the this week – that you would realize

                Just how very much YOU ARE LOVED!

Have a good evening …

God Bless & Much Love  

'TIS THE SEASON: COMFORT

Hi There …

I pray your week is going well and that your day was a good one

I am finishing out my day listening to some nice music

It is a TRUE COMFORT to me

And one of my favorite songs has been on my playlist tonight –

Come and Worship by Bebo Norman

It is not a new song –

However, it is a powerful song,

One I have loved and listened to for years'

 

There is one line in particular that I absolutely adore –

 ‘God with man is now residing …’

It is such an intense, yet COMFORTING thought

It is what Christmas is all about

It is what Jesus coming to earth was all about

It is what the story & gift of redemption is all about

It is what the gift of His Holy Spirit is all about

He is with us –

Yet – Christmas can be one of the loneliest times of year for so many

My heart aches for those enduring the sting of loneliness tonight

And sometimes it aches because I too have felt that sting on occasion

That is not the case tonight –

Primarily because I have had my thoughts fixed on Him

The beautiful thing about ‘coming and worshiping’

Is that it can take place anywhere you are … at any time

Still, my heart is heavy for those who are missing a loved one tonight;

Those who are overwhelmed with the circumstances of life;

Those who wonder if it is ever going to ‘be good’ again

To all those people … to my dear friends –

Let me say, ‘HE IS WITH YOU’

I promise you

There is no where you can go to escape His presence.

HE IS OMNIPRESENT – everywhere all at once

So my prayer tonight is that you would have a personal encounter with Him;

That His presence would be tangible

That your sensitivity to His voice would be heightened

That your heart would be fertile ground to receive –

Any & every word of encouragement He has for you

I pray His peace would surround you as a shield – silencing the sounds and voices

of past regrets, present problems and future worries

I pray that the same arms that were stretched out at Calvary to give the gift of salvation,

Would embrace you tonight and convey the love of that gift;

That it would be a comfort to you

Be encouraged my friend … 

I’m praying you have a truly blessed evening

Much Love …

‘Lo, I am with you always – even unto the end of the age.’  

Matthew 28:20